Is it Too Late to Get an Internship After Graduation?

Internships are commonly associated with current university students. The short-term length of the job, the low pay (if any), and the usual low amount of hours make most people think that only college students can take internships. However, this is incorrect, so we are going to break down how to get an internship after graduation.

Is it too late to get an internship if you’re not in school? No, graduating students can and should apply for internships. Interns get real life experience in their chosen fields. With the connections they make, the internship may lead to another job after the internship period is over.

If you are no longer in school, there are several ways you can find an internship that improves your skills while also looking great on your resume. Is it too late to get an internship after graduation? No, just consider all aspects and skills you want to learn, then begin your search!

You’ll also want to make sure you find out if you get paid, how long the internships last, and if there is room for growth within the company. Try looking for post graduate internships abroad, online, or in person. There are so many great opportunities just waiting for you to find them!

Are internships only for students?

Not at all, internships for graduates are plentiful! Students still attending college AND recent graduates can take internships. Completing a post graduate internship abroad or domestically makes you more marketable to future employers—but that’s especially true if you complete an internship for recent graduates abroad.

Additionally, there are many opportunities available for you to network and develop professional relationships during an internship assignment. Because of this, you may be able to learn more about your chosen industry from coworkers. They can help you build and learn invaluable skills to help you succeed.

Can you get an internship after you graduate?

Do you have to be in college to do an internship? No, some internships are specifically designed to be an internship for graduates. Other internships accept graduates and students, it just depends on the company and the role.

Internships are great options for recent graduates who are still unsure about what they want to do with their career. Completing an internship lets you test the waters and develop new industry-related skills. By the end of the internship, you’ll have a better understanding of how the field works and if you want to continue working in that industry.

Another perk of doing an internship is making money! Fortunately, not all internships are unpaid. You can easily start earning some money while starting your career with an internship.

READ: 5 Reasons to Do an Internship Abroad

How to get an internship if you’re not in school

Go ahead, answer that call to interview for your dream internship.

Figuring out how to get an internship if you’re not in school is half the battle. Follow these steps to find internships for recent graduates abroad or closer to home that fit your career goals:

1. Use social media

LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, etc. all have groups, hashtags, and links you can use to try and find an internship in your field. Follow companies you want to work for and people who have careers in fields that you aspire to be in. You never know what opportunities will present themselves to you!

2. Google it!

When in doubt, turn to a search engine. Use GoAbroad.com, Google, Bing, or any other general search engine to find an internship. Research the different types of internships available for recent graduates along with internships in your specific field.

3. Look at job boards

Indeed, Glassdoor, Monster, Snagajob, and so on are great resources to find open positions for internships. For example, simply search for internships in your field using keywords such as “Communications Internships” or “Internships in Marketing.”

4. Look at industry-specific job boards

There are job boards that exclusively post about internships and jobs in a specific field. Interested in an internship in finance? Find a job board that only promotes finance internships. This will not only narrow down your search results, but also speed up your internship search process.

5. Reach out to people in your network

Email, text, call, or send a video chat to people in your network. Tell everyone and let everyone you know that you are looking for an internship post graduation. You never know, someone might have the perfect position open for you!

6. Talk with a career counselor

Put your career counselor’s advice to good use and ace your internship applications.

Career counselors specialize in job searching, job hunting, and setting people up for success in their careers. Reach out to a career counselor for tips and tricks to get noticed in the job market.

7. Go to your alma mater’s career center

If you are a recent graduate, oftentimes your university will still give you access to their career center. Take advantage of the resources and get your resume checked, your cover letter looked over, and maybe even participate in mock interviews for practice.

8. Go to all the career fairs

There are career fairs available toward the end of the semester and after the school year is over. As a recent graduate, you may be able to go to these career fairs for free or at a significantly lower price. Career fairs are a great way to network, show your face, and get informed about positions available in your field.

9. Look at company websites

Specifically, peruse the websites of companies you would like to work for now or in the future. There may be posting in the “Careers” or “Work for Us” sections on their websites. You can usually apply directly for a position on those pages.

10. Directly contact companies and potential employers

You could apply to internships and wait to hear back. However, you could also be proactive and reach out to the hiring team yourself. This is a sure way to help you stand out from the rest of the applicants.

11. Apply to more than one internship

Do not put all your eggs in one basket. Instead, apply to several internships. There are so many great opportunities out there and you should not limit yourself to only one opportunity.

12. Speak with mentors and professors

Your professors still want to hear from you and your mentors want to help you! Don’t hesitate to sit down and get advice from a former professor or a mentor of yours. They could have advice that helps you figure out your next steps.

13. Look for internships abroad

Don’t want to move back home straight away? You don’t have to! Look into international internship opportunities. These are great options because they give you professional skills and international experience. Also, you have the opportunity to live and work abroad.

14. Search for virtual internship opportunities

Staying local more your speed? No worries, you can still get the professional experience you want via virtual internships. Remote internships offer more flexibility and allow you to have more independence in your role. You can even do virtual international internships from the comfort of your own home. The opportunities are truly endless!

3 Postgraduate Internships Abroad

1. Paid TEFL Internship in Thailand

• Why? Get real-life teaching experience in Thailand and get paid! This program not only includes an internship placement, but also an on-site TEFL course and a sponsored work visa. Embrace cultural immersion and potentially stay for longer than you anticipated. With this program, you can figure out if teaching is for you or not while enjoying life in Thailand.
• Read Premier TEFL reviews

2. Internships in Barcelona - Adelante Abroad

• Why? Whether you just want a short-term internship or a longer, more focused internship, Adelante could be your best option. This program offers a variety of length options, with placements ranging from one month to six months—and all in the heart of Barcelona, Spain! Internship fields range from International Business, Culinary, Architecture and Design, Fashion, Law, Event Planning, and more.
• Read Adelante Abroad reviews

3. Hospitality & Tourism Intern—Costa Rica | Guatemala | Peru

• Why? Live and work abroad in Costa Rica, Guatemala, or Peru with this program. Host family accommodation is included with breakfast and dinner served each day. Also, Spanish classes are included to fully immerse you in the Latin American culture. By the end of your internship, you will have completed 6 to 8 hours of work per day Monday to Friday, and you’ll get a letter of recommendation as part of the program.
• Read Maximo Nivel reviews

Our Online Advisor can match you with 5 internship programs abroad—it’s free!

It’s never too late to get work experience through an internship

There’s no time like right now to get work experience through an internship.

Internships are not just for students—recent graduates are eligible as well! Internships offer a great option for recent graduates to develop professional skills and can help them get a job in the future.

Internships look great on resumes, can cover unemployment gaps, and serve as a buffer between graduation and your first full-time job. Who knows, your internship may even lead to that full-time job after your initial placement ends. So don’t wait and start looking for internships!